black mustard

American  

[blak muhs-terd] / ˈblæk ˈmʌs tərd /

noun

1. the cruciferous plant Brassica nigra, the seeds of which are ground into a pungent spice or used whole, as in Indian cuisine, and are a chief ingredient of many commercially prepared mustards: black mustard is sometimes mistakenly classified as Sinapis nigra, but it does not belong to same genus as white mustard (S. alba ).

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black mustard British  

noun

1. a Eurasian plant, Brassica (or Sinapsis ) nigra , with clusters of yellow flowers and pungent seeds from which the condiment mustard is made: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)

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Etymology

Origin of black mustard

First recorded in 1300–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

black mustard

The black mustard that was pulled up was collected into 30-gallon paper garden bags that will be hauled away and buried in a landfill.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 25, 2025

It has also led to a destructive superbloom of black mustard, a fast-growing invasive plant that chokes out native vegetation relied on by native pollinators and, in turn, the birds that eat them.

From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2023

Instead, he sees it as an opportunity to raise awareness about a destructive flower that proliferated in the state following an unusually wet winter: wild black mustard.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 15, 2023

There are also black mustard seeds, which have a distinctive sharp flavor.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 2, 2023

See also cuts of rutabaga and black mustard.

From Seeds of Michigan Weeds Bulletin 260, Michigan State Agricultural College Experiment Station, Division of Botany, March, 1910 by Beal, W. J. (William James)